Presto
Proud service providers for streaming service Presto
The Client
Presto was an online streaming service that allowed Australians to experience 1000’s of hours of ad-free TV shows and endless movie entertainment, legally, whenever they want, for a low monthly subscription fee.
A joint-venture between Australia’s leading Pay TV provider Foxtel and Australia’s leading multiple platform media company Seven West Media, Presto enabled them to broadened their mobile device compatibility footprint, adding smartphones and tablets to the service through it’s iOS and Android apps.
The Challenge
Foxtel and Seven West Media required a partner to develop and deliver the Presto app across various iOS and Android phone and tablets as a starting point, and then progressively to PS3, PS4, Roku, Android TV – SONY Bravia, Nexus Player and Telstra TV. A major goal was to have presence in the Australian SVOD market by adding new devices to the supported list for Presto, before major competitors such as Stan and Netflix could launch.
Switch Media proposed a fast-to-market solution for the first release, followed up by a feature rich release in Phase 2, that would allow the app to house all of the required content, and would allow our clients the ability to upload, manage and populate the Presto app in time for the launch date. The app needed to work on iPhone and Android phones and tablets, as well as have Chromecast and airplay capabilities.
“It’s been just over a month since Presto TV landed on Android tablets and with today’s announcement of the app launch, we’ve massively increased the number of devices you can use to enjoy Presto.”
Shaun James
Director of Presto and On Demand
Switch Media’s Role
Switch Media’s role was to leverage the existing IP head-end that had been created for Foxtel Go. This solution provides transcoding, encryption, storage, metadata management, user authentication, user device management, as well as the build of the apps.
Other system design features and functionalities included: VOD playback, catalogue browse, Switch Media head-end system for iPhone and Android Phone apps, Switch Media head-end system for 3rd party Presto applications, integration with Foxtel IDM for login and entitlements, device management function to cap number of devices per account, project application build, project end-to-end testing (excluding UAT), head-end and Switch Media Manager changes and support for all applications and new features.
Project summary
- Development and delivery of a completed Presto app on iPhone and Android, with Chromecast functionality, within the tight deadline
- Solution architecture and design of the application had multiple integration points with the modified Switch Media head-end and third party APIs
Project Outcomes & ROI
The Presto apps went live in the App Store and on Google Play on February 16th 2015, with full Chromecast functionality, 24/7 customer service and additional technical support. Following the launch, Switch Media progressively rolled out Presto across PS3, PS4, Roku, Android TV – SONY Bravia, Nexus Player and Telstra TV. As at August 2016, there have been 406,000 iOS and 225,000 android Presto app downloads.
The Presto Streaming service closed down in January 2017 to be replaced with Foxtel’s new streaming service, Foxtel Now.
Michael Ivanchenko, Foxtel’s Director of Product said,
“Switch Media has confidently and effectively delivered what we set out. You have impressed many along the journey from all levels of the business.”
